Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has hit back at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, saying political alliances are driven by interests rather than personal affection, as she defended her decision to remain in President William Ruto’s government.
Waiguru said politicians should not be expected to maintain permanent friendships, arguing that circumstances and interests determine political partnerships.
“Politics is about interest; it’s not a love affair,” Waiguru said, while responding to criticism of her continued association with Ruto’s administration.
She appeared to take a swipe at Gachagua over his changing political positions, particularly his relationship with retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“Si yeye Rigathi akiwa ndani ya serikali alikuwa anatukana Uhuru asubuhi mpaka jioni? Ati yeye sasa ndiye defender number one na akiwa kwa serikali si alikuwa anamchapa?” she said.
This is translated to mean: "Wasn't Rigathi insulting Uhuru from morning to evening when he was in government? Now he claims to be Uhuru's number one defender, yet when he was in government, wasn't he attacking him?"
Waiguru's remarks also came against the backdrop of Gachagua's recent attacks on her and other female leaders allied to UDA during campaigns for the Ol Kalou by-election.
Gachagua had claimed that Waiguru and Governors Susan Kihika (Nakuru) and Cecily Mbarire (Embu) were repeatedly returning to their vehicles during the campaigns to apply makeup and conceal their age in an attempt to appeal to young men.
He further mocked their campaign dancing, saying the young voters were not interested in watching them dance.
The comments triggered condemnation from women's groups and other leaders, with critics accusing the former DP of making disparaging remarks about women leaders.
Waiguru appeared to revisit the remarks, asking Gachagua whether his criticism of her appearance was justified.
“Wewe Rigathi unasema najipaka rangi (Rigathi, you say I wear makeup),” she said.
The governor said she had repeatedly maintained that political alliances should be assessed through the interests they serve rather than personal loyalties.
“I have said countless times, politics is about interest, it's not a love affair,” she said.
Waiguru also cautioned Mt Kenya residents against expecting perfection from politicians, saying political leaders should not be treated as saints.
“There are no angels in politics, and politics is not a church. If you go looking, you won't find anyone without flaws, so don't start looking for angels. They don't exist; there are no angels. Everybody has fallen short of the glory of God,” she said.
The governor declared that she would remain in government, saying her decision was informed by what she considers the interests of Kirinyaga and the wider Mt Kenya region.
“I'll tell you this for free: I want to tell you that I'm in the government, and I'm not leaving,” she said during an event in her county.
Waiguru also warned residents against taking their longstanding proximity to government for granted, arguing that the region had benefited from being part of successive administrations.
“You people from Kirinyaga and the Mt Kenya region have become so used to being in government that you now take it for granted,” she said.
She likened the situation to a child who grows up without experiencing hardship and consequently assumes life will always remain comfortable.
Waiguru challenged residents to compare development in Kirinyaga with neighbouring counties, particularly in infrastructure.
“Here in Kirinyaga, there are tarmac roads everywhere. Go to the neighbouring counties and see what it's like there,” she said.
